Leveling the Playing Field in US Soccer

If you’re reading this, it means you’ve taken time out of your day to learn more about this crazy, far-fetched, longshot dream that we have to revolutionize youth soccer in the United States. Thank you just for that. Okay, here we go.

As I write this, I'm reminded of the stories of athletes who have broken barriers, defied odds, and transformed their sport. But I'm struck by how pivotal luck was in their journeys and how easily their careers might never have begun. Think about Lionel Messi, who had a growth hormone disorder that, if left untreated, would have prevented him from ever being able to pursue soccer (or fú-bol in his case) at a professional level. If a scout from FC Barcelona hadn't seen him play at age 13, and if FC Barcelona didn’t offer a spot in their team and a promise to cover all his medical expenses, we would never have the G.O.A.T. today.

More recently, we can look at Gift Orban, a 20-year-old striker from Nigeria who, in just a little over a year, went from the cusp of giving up soccer altogether and becoming a police officer to scoring the fastest hattrick in the history of UEFA club competitions (You can watch this video to learn more about Gift Orban).

But with all these incredible stories, it’s hard not to think about all the stories of kids who had extraordinary athletic gifts but weren’t given the opportunities to foster their talent. How many how many untold stories of potential stars have we missed?

This question is what started us on our mission to create something to help those talented but underprivileged players. I want to introduce you to AthletiFi.

It's no secret that soccer has often taken a backseat in the US sports landscape. This diminished popularity has had a ripple effect, notably reducing the chances of players getting scouted and fans from deeply engaging with the sport. Here’s an interesting comparison: did you know that the average elite soccer academy in the US charges around $8,400 in club fees for their players? Across the pond in Europe, promising young players can attend premier academies free of charge.

This stark difference stems from a fundamental disparity in the popularity of the sport and the reduced attention and funding that results. In Europe, where soccer is much more profitable, a young player with raw talent is seen as an asset. European clubs invest in young players, nurture their growth, and see their return later when they play in the top tier.

However, for clubs to provide the resources they need to foster talent, they need to follow a financial model that puts the burden of cost on the players and their families. It doesn’t matter how good you are; in the U.S., you need to pay play. This undoubtedly creates a massive barrier of entry for players whose families don’t have the resources for the level of commitment. 

But let’s not forget where we are. If there’s one thing that Americans have figured out, it’s business. The sports industry in the U.S. is over $80 billion and growing. And even though international soccer stars have a knack for securing jaw-dropping contracts, the top 5 most profitable sports franchises are all based in the US (6^th place Real Madrid is the most profitable soccer franchise to make that list). The data is clear. Americans love sports, and they love spending money on sports. soccer just hasn’t been on their radar. Until now.

Our mission is straightforward: Equalize opportunities in US soccer. Talent, not money, should determine the prospects of a gifted young soccer player. How do we do this? Simple: we solve the problems that led US soccer to this state in the first place. AthletiFi aims to dismantle the barriers faced by young players by creating new engagement tools to bring attention to the often unnoticed first step in a player’s career.

Professional soccer players start young – they have to. Messi was 17 when he first debuted for FC Barcelona. Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland debuted at only 16 years old. Here in the US, NYCFC signed MLS’ youngest player, Maximo Carrizo, on his 14^th birthday. If you want to have a career in soccer, you need to start training young. But for those who don’t come from means, the only way you’ll get the resources you need is to be scouted. But we don’t have scouts from the world’s most successful soccer clubs canvassing fields in the US – they’re too busy in Europe, Africa, and South America. Most of the promising young athletes in the US go into Football (the American variety), Basketball, or Baseball anyway because, of course, that’s where the money is.

That’s where AthletiFi comes in. We may be unable to bring scouts from the most successful European clubs to our shores. Still, we can do something much better: create the tools to allow America’s homegrown soccer fans to put on their scouting glasses and start following and supporting America’s next top soccer star. AthletiFi is building tools to help players connect with their community. 

The platform allows clubs and players to reach a new and far-reaching audience of soccer fans who want to discover, follow and support the next Messi. The player cards are their ticket to keeping track of players’ progress with fresh-off-the-press stats and highlight clips of remarkable plays. And, dare I say, it’s their immutable proof that they first discovered this player who goes on to score the winning goal in the World Cup finals before their career even started.

Now for the best part: let me tell you why AthletiFi's mission is particularly timely. US soccer is having its moment. The upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be hosted in the US, and it's gearing up to be a transformative period for soccer in the country. From now until 2026, all eyes will be on the US (and I mean ALL eyes – The 2022 World Cup final garnered 1.5 billion viewers)

That part we have known for a while. We knew it when we first started AthletiFi. But something even more seismic shifting came as much more of a surprise this past summer: Lionel Messi's move to the MLS. Messi, the GOAT, is coming to play soccer in the US. This. Changes. Everything.

His full impact on MLS’ fortune is so profound you can’t even put it in numbers. Messi has put MLS and soccer on the map. People are paying attention. And this attention isn’t going to go away any time soon. At AthletiFi, we’re not merely capitalizing on a fleeting moment – we’re tapping into converging trends that promise a brighter future for soccer in America. 

MLS is still a nascent league, especially compared to juggernauts like Football (American) and Baseball, with long, storied American pastimes. If MLS will secure its footing into the future, it needs players – or better yet, a player pipeline for homegrown American players. AthletiFi will help build that pipeline. But we need you to help build up our players.

AthletiFi isn’t about changing a few stories; it’s about redefining the narrative of soccer in the US. It’s about ensuring every kid with a dream can pursue it; it’s about creating a platform that elevates soccer to new heights.

If you're reading this, you're already a part of our journey. Whether you're a fan, a player, a parent, or someone who loves new ideas - your support, ideas, and voice matter; let's build up US soccer, one kick at a time.

If you’d like to become involved and share ideas, articles, websites, companies, resources, connections, constructive criticism, expertise, or anything else, now or in the future, please reach out!

Here goes everything.